I always write about events but felt like breaking the cycle tonight. It's very quiet, and I just finished tidying. Gabe fell asleep on the couch and I'm eating a mystery ramen cup (tastes like chilis, cardamon & anise) 
and Jell-O hoarded for sickness days with strawberries (the only fruit besides citrus that grows in this cold weather). Gabe & I have spent most of the day on the couch. He is ill from his vaccinations and I, guarding against dehydration, coaxed him all day to keep drinking. Eric is at a lock-in for the seventh grade class and without him here it feels eerily still with Enya echoing off the cement walls.
This week we bought a guitar for the orphanage and wondered for the thousandth time if we are doing the right things for them and prioritizing correctly. This week I worked on Gabe's kindergarten application and argued with myself about homeschooling vs. "regular" school, as I have done since before he was born. Thinking about kindergarten naturally led to many discussions about Gabe's future and our future and what we will do in it. That question never seems to go away. This week I read The Rose Rent a Brother Cadfael mystery, and enjoyed it. This week I found out that the staff I supervise is planting a garden together at our office and was pleased that our team-building efforts seemed to working (or maybe it had nothing to do with it). This week Gabe told me about the project they are planning to do with their Thai teacher at preschool (she doesn't speak English) and am wondering if he understands Thai why he won't speak it unless I tell him exactly what to say. This week we spent lots of time talking with our small group, Sunday School staff and pastor about the difficulty of getting missionaries to commit to the local church and then felt guilty for my cynicism after watching a video about Bonhoeffer and his grand hopes for the church in spite of witnessing the cowardice of the German church in the face of Nazis.
I always wonder how to best capture the rhythm of our lives in this blog. I suppose it seems a bit egocentric, but if we don't do this, when we see our families again it feels like this time didn't exist. It's just too hard to summarize years. I don't know if this makes it any easier to get a picture.
and Jell-O hoarded for sickness days with strawberries (the only fruit besides citrus that grows in this cold weather). Gabe & I have spent most of the day on the couch. He is ill from his vaccinations and I, guarding against dehydration, coaxed him all day to keep drinking. Eric is at a lock-in for the seventh grade class and without him here it feels eerily still with Enya echoing off the cement walls.This week we bought a guitar for the orphanage and wondered for the thousandth time if we are doing the right things for them and prioritizing correctly. This week I worked on Gabe's kindergarten application and argued with myself about homeschooling vs. "regular" school, as I have done since before he was born. Thinking about kindergarten naturally led to many discussions about Gabe's future and our future and what we will do in it. That question never seems to go away. This week I read The Rose Rent a Brother Cadfael mystery, and enjoyed it. This week I found out that the staff I supervise is planting a garden together at our office and was pleased that our team-building efforts seemed to working (or maybe it had nothing to do with it). This week Gabe told me about the project they are planning to do with their Thai teacher at preschool (she doesn't speak English) and am wondering if he understands Thai why he won't speak it unless I tell him exactly what to say. This week we spent lots of time talking with our small group, Sunday School staff and pastor about the difficulty of getting missionaries to commit to the local church and then felt guilty for my cynicism after watching a video about Bonhoeffer and his grand hopes for the church in spite of witnessing the cowardice of the German church in the face of Nazis.
I always wonder how to best capture the rhythm of our lives in this blog. I suppose it seems a bit egocentric, but if we don't do this, when we see our families again it feels like this time didn't exist. It's just too hard to summarize years. I don't know if this makes it any easier to get a picture.
5 comments:
Ang, thanks for the post. It's good to hear these kinds of things. I totally understand what you mean. Sometimes it may seem like "out of sight, out of mind" but actually, speaking for myself, I am always wondering about what's going on in your lives. It inspires me to maybe start blogging again. God bless,
Ang, we appreciate reading about some of the "rhythm of your lives." Your post on the blog helps us feel connected across the many miles and generates feelings and questions--hope that Gabe is feeling better, wondering how the lock-in went, and especially empathy for you as you have so many difficult decisions to make about the future. It also helps us know how to pray for you more specifically--not just,"God, bless Eric, Ang, and Gabe in their work in Thailand." Dad is really looking forward to spending time with you in a couple of weeks. Wish I could go along. Love, Mom W.
Ang, that was my anonymous post. I'm not sure why it came out as anonymous. Just so you know, the Bears lost the Superbowl. Pretty sad.
-Nathan
I knew it was you. I also knew the Bears lost the Super Bowl. I didn't want to get up at 6:00 so I went later in time to see them make one mistake after another. It was no '85 Superbowl.
dear Ang,
I enjoy getting caught up with you guys by checking your blog from time to time. Thanks for making your thoughts available to us who care and are interested. We love you and pray that you are well and that Gabe is thriving. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
We are very proud of you, too.
Blessings, Henny
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